Rahul Gandhi Urges India's Gen Z to Protect Democracy Ahead of Elections

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi held a press conference in New Delhi on Wednesday, urging India's Generation Z to take control of their future and defend democratic principles. This gathering marked his third address regarding allegations of 'vote chori' or vote theft since August. Gandhi claimed that widespread voter fraud was threatening the future of the youth in Haryana, reiterating accusations against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission of India.

During his address, he stated, "I want Gen Z to take this seriously because your future is being taken away from you. They are the ones being stolen from." He concluded his presentation with a slide that proclaimed, "India’s Gen Z and youth have the power to restore our democracy with satya and ahimsa (truth and non-violence)."

The Leader of the Opposition asserted that there were 2.5 million fraudulent voters registered in Haryana, citing an instance of a woman who supposedly voted 220 times under various identities at different polling booths. He accused the Election Commission and the BJP of manipulating electoral rolls to benefit the governing party.

Gandhi's remarks come just two days prior to the polling in Bihar, where Congress aims to challenge the BJP-Janata Dal (United) alliance. His focus on the younger demographic, particularly the digitally savvy Gen Z, is perceived as a strategy to harness youth dissatisfaction regarding issues such as unemployment, corruption, and social inequality into a movement aimed at 'saving the Constitution.'

In recent statements, Gandhi has drawn comparisons between the youth movements in India and student protests in neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. His emphasis on 'truth' and 'non-violence' aligns with the moral frameworks of these protests, positioning the younger generation as crucial agents for democratic rejuvenation in India.

However, Union Minister and BJP leader Kiren Rijiju dismissed Gandhi's allegations, labelling them as "baseless narratives" intended to divert attention from Congress's shortcomings. Rijiju remarked that Gandhi's focus on Haryana, while Bihar's elections were imminent, indicated the Congress party's lack of substance in Bihar. He also referenced Gandhi's overseas trips, suggesting that such travels influenced his statements and narratives.

Other BJP representatives accused Gandhi of attempting to incite unrest among younger voters. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey stated, "Gen Z is against dynastic politics. Why would they tolerate Rahul after Nehru, Indira, Rajiv, and Sonia?" This highlights the challenges Gandhi faces in appealing to a generation that may be wary of political legacies.

Gandhi's ongoing narrative, which he claims is aimed at galvanising the youth, faces scrutiny as critics argue it could undermine faith in democratic institutions. The Election Commission has been actively revising electoral rolls to rectify discrepancies, a process Gandhi's claims inadvertently acknowledged, complicating his position on the issue.

As the Bihar elections approach, it remains to be seen how effectively Gandhi's messages will resonate with the younger electorate, who are increasingly informed and engaged in the political landscape. His recent statements, while calling for action, may also reflect a broader struggle within the Congress party to remain relevant amidst a rapidly evolving political environment in India.